Let's get ready, people: the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs are here.
It’s an especially exciting time for the nine Eastern Conference teams who qualified for this year’s postseason, with the ultimate goal of winning MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 18.
Let’s take a look at why each of these teams will win MLS Cup – and why they won’t.
Note: clubs are listed by their finish in the standings.
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Why they'll win
The road to MLS Cup runs through GEODIS Park, where Nashville racked up a league-record 15 home wins and went unbeaten all season.
By several measures, the Coyotes just completed the best regular season in MLS history. They conceded the fewest goals (25), lost the fewest games (3) and won the most games ever (23) while setting a new single-season points record (77).
In turn, they've earned home-field advantage as far as they go in the postseason, and their status as MLS Cup favorites.
Why they won't
The Supporters' Shield curse. May the debate over its legitimacy never end.
Whether you run screaming at the thought of a jinx or laugh in the face of superstition, only two teams in the past 14 seasons have accomplished the prestigious MLS Cup-Supporters' Shield double.
In fact, since Toronto FC won their historic 2017 treble, four teams have set new single-season MLS points records. None have gone on to win MLS Cup.
Why they'll win
His name is Lionel Messi. He is arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport, on track to claim a record third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. He just won a second straight Golden Boot presented by Audi with a league-best 43 goal contributions (26g/17a). And last year, he led the Herons to their first MLS Cup title with a league-record 15 postseason goal contributions (6g/9a). Enough said.
Why they won't
As the second seed in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami will enjoy hosting privileges at their newly opened Nu Stadium until at least the Eastern Conference Final.
The problem? The Herons had the fewest home wins among all 18 playoff teams, earning just 27 points from 17 home games this season (6W-2L-9D).
Why they'll win
Carles Gil was back to his best this year, tallying 13g/13a. Peyton Miller and Brooklyn Raines are rising USMNT players. Matt Turner had a fantastic season in goal. First-year head coach Marko Mitrović has the Revs playing an attractive, effective brand of soccer.
New England have a lot of ways to beat you, and quietly finished fourth in the Supporters' Shield standings.
Why they won't
Because history says so.
Outside of six-time champions LA Galaxy, no team has reached MLS Cup more than New England's five appearances. Unfortunately, New England are also the only team to reach the championship match more than twice without ever lifting the trophy.
The MLS originals are the living embodiment of the idiom "close but no cigar."
Why they'll win
Gregg Berhalter is the only head coach in the Eastern Conference who has previously led a team to MLS Cup (Columbus Crew in 2015).
Since taking charge of Chicago following their last-place finish in 2024, Berhalter has continually improved the Fire with an eighth-place finish in 2025 and a top-four finish this season.
As Robert Lewandowski & Co. chase silverware, a "sleeping giant" is clearly awakening.
Why they won't
Holding onto leads as your opponent throws the kitchen sink at you late in matches is a vital skill in playoff games.
The bad news for Chicago is that no team in the league lost as many games from winning positions (6) as the Fire did this season.
Why they'll win
Charlotte boast the only player in MLS with more assists this season than Messi: Spanish playmaker Pep Biel (18). Summer signing Allan Saint-Maximin is arguably the best dribbler in MLS. And Idan Toklomati scored a team-best 15 goals this season.
The Crown remain solid defensively, but have true game-changers in the final third – the types of players crucial to win a trophy.
Why they won't
Consistency has been the name of the game for Charlotte, qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year while finishing either fourth or fifth for the last three seasons under head coach Dean Smith.
However, the Crown remain in search of their first Round One series win. History isn't on their side.
Why they'll win
Ryan Richter has faith in the kids, so why shouldn't we?
Since taking over as interim head coach following the FIFA World Cup break, Richter has made 17-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan a focal point of his lineup and inserted 19-year-old center back Neil Pierre into the starting XI.
A second-half remontada ensued, pulling Philly out of the depths of the East and comfortably into a playoff position as Sullivan shattered the MLS record for goal contributions by a teenager (23). Don't put it past him to lead Philly to their first MLS Cup title.
Why they won't
That second-half resurgence comes with a significant caveat: it largely came against conference bottom-dwellers.
When facing teams who qualified directly for Round One this season, Philadelphia have earned just one win (over the Chicago Fire).
That includes home-and-away 2-1 losses to New England, their Round One opponent.
Why they'll win
Are the playoffs really all about getting hot at the right time? If so, the Columbus Crew have a pretty strong claim to contender status.
Sparked by marquee summer signings Brais Méndez (6g/4a) and Santiago RodrÃguez (3g/8a), the Crew enter the postseason in the best form of any team, having won eight of their last nine league matches. If they can win five more, they'll lift MLS Cup.
Why they won't
In the playoffs, the difference between draws and losses is more than just a point, especially in Round One Best-of-3 Series, where games go directly to penalties to determine a winner if level after 90 minutes.
That looks to be a concern for Columbus, as no playoff team has lost more games than the Crew (15), while only New England (4) drew fewer than their five.
Why they'll win
When the World Cup winner formally joined Orlando City in July, the Lions sat well below the playoff line and needed a shot in the arm. The French forward provided it and then some, contributing 14g/8a in 18 games and vaulting Orlando to a seventh straight postseason appearance.
Griezmann is a Newcomer of the Year finalist, and Orlando still haven't lost a game when he's etched his name on the scoresheet (8W-0L-4D).
Why they won't
Defense, or lack thereof.
Orlando conceded the second-most goals ever in an MLS season (78) and finished the year with a -15 goal differential – the worst of any playoff team.
Orlando games will undoubtedly bring goals. The Lions simply hope they outscore their opponents.
Why they'll win
The only player to produce more goal contributions this year than FC Cincinnati's Brazilian maestro Evander? Lionel Messi.
The only player to be named an MVP finalist in the last three seasons besides Messi? Evander.
If that doesn't tell you how good Cincy's No. 10 is, nothing will.
Why they won't
Should Cincinnati reach MLS Cup as the ninth seed, they would have to do so despite playing all but one of their seven potential playoff games away from home.
That will be a real challenge for a team that notched just 16 points in 17 away games (3W-7L-7D) this season and conceded the third-most goals (75) in MLS.
